Are Books Your Brand? How Libraries Can Stay Relevant to Readers

The core mission of libraries – providing books for readers – is as relevant today as it was years ago. In fact, it’s what people overwhelmingly identify as THE reason for libraries. Formats might change, and library patrons might only visit the library virtually, but the library is still the place where readers go to find books. Libraries should embrace this role in their communities – and become “Centers for Readers.” But how?

Join us for a free webinar with several librarians who are keeping readers at the forefront of the library mission. The panel will discuss:

Robin Nesbitt is the Technical Services Director of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, 2010 LJ Library of the Year. Robin launched central selection and floating collections at CML. She’s presented at PLA about Technical Services efficiencies and does regular Tweet chats about eReaders and Digital Content. She regularly blogs about great titles at http://www.columbuslibrary.org/reads/robin-reads-blog and you can follow her on Twitter @CML_RobinReads.

Duncan Smith – Vice President, NoveList

Duncan Smith is the Vice President (and founding partner) of NoveList. He was inspired to develop the NoveList readers’ advisory database based on research he conducted on why readers read what they read. Duncan is passionate about the power of libraries, and readers’ advisory, to transform lives. He is the author of the recent article “Books: An Essential Part of Essential Libraries,” published in Public Library Quarterly.

Barry Trott is the Digital Services Director at the Williamsburg (VA) Regional Library, where he coordinates the library’s digital collections, services, and programs, including the library website and social media. Barry is past-president of the American Library Association’s Reference and User Services Association. Barry is editor of Reference and User Services Quarterly. He is the series editor for Libraries Unlimited’s Read On series and author of Read On . . . Crime Fiction (2008). In 2007, Barry was awarded both the Public Library Association’s Allie Beth Martin Award and the ALA Reference and User Services Association’s Margaret E. Monroe Library Adult Services Award in recognition for his work with readers.

Moderator

Laurel Tarulli – Faculty of Management, Dalhousie University

Laurel Tarulli is a part-time member of the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she teaches Organization of Information and Cataloging & Classification II. In addition, Ms. Tarulli is also the editor of the readers’ services column in ALA’s publication Reference and Users’ Services Quarterly (RUSQ) and a consultant with NoveList. In addition to her professional commitments, Laurel also contributes articles and chapters to various publications and recently published her first book, The Library Catalogue as Social Space. In 2009 she was the recipient of the Esther J. Piercy award and in 2010, received the outstanding alumni award from the University of Alberta.

Yes, all of our webcasts can be viewed on demand. You should have gotten an email with the information on how to access the archive, but you can always get click the link above to see the archive as well.